To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org, nutgrowers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NAFEX] AACK! Persimmon borers(?!)
Date: Wed, 02 May 2007 09:40:20 -0500
After grafting a few persimmons in the nursery beds this morning, I
took another turn around the orchard to survey the damage and
recovery, such as it is, of the freeze-damaged pecans & persimmons.
Most appear to be re-leafing, though some of the young 3-5 yr old
grafted American persimmons appear to have killed back all the way to
the main trunk. At least a couple may be total kills, and closer
inspection of those revealed the characteristic little pale,
toothpick-sized frass tubes, sticking out from their trunks, that I
presume are associated with borers of some sort.
Fortunately, I have 'back-ups' of these varieties, or gathered
dormant scionwood back in Feb/March, so they're not totally lost to
me, but it is distressing.
Does anyone have any info or recommendations on control/prevention
strategies to diminish infestation on the remainder of my trees?
Lucky Pittman
USDA Cold Zone 6
AHS Heat Zone 7
Hopkinsville, KY